Fixtures 3

The games will take place in Natal this week.

Teamsheets by Friday 7pm, Predictions by Sunday 7pm

---

Bath RFC vs. Worcester Warriors

---

Bath

---

Manager – 207

01. Salvator Perugini	09. Richard Wrigglesworth
02. Lee Mears	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Davit Kurbrashvilli
04. Louis Deacon	11. Ugo Monye
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Anthoney Allen
06. Sean O'Brian	13. Dominic Woldouck
07. Beu Robinson	14. Gerhard Van Der Heever
08. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe	15. Frans Steyn

16. Kane Newport 17. Will Tanner 18. James Currie 19. Tim Swinson 20. Will Skuse 21. Fourie Du Preez 22. Tim Nanai - Williams 23. Kurtley Beale
Tactics
Insert text here

---

Worcester Warriors

---

Manager – Prop_lyd

01. David Flatman	09. Dwayne Peel
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Nicky Robinson
03. BJ Botha
04. Ollie Kohn	11. Matt Banahan
05. Marco Wentzel	12. Lee Thomas
06. Scott Higgenbotham	13. Seru Rabeni
07. Craig Newby	14. Lelia Masaga
08. Ben Morgan	15. Greig Tonks

16. Koree Britton 17. George Porter 18. Yann Thomas 19. Dominic Borrow 20. Sabastian Chabal 21. Jimmy Cowen 22. Morne Steyn 23. Sam Vesty
Tactics
Insert text here

---

---

Exeter Chiefs vs. Northampton Saints

---

Exeter Chiefs

---

Manager – Driver

01. Cian Healy	09. Tomas O'Leary
02. Gary Botha	10. Steven Myler
03. Euan Murrey
04. Juilian Pierre	11. Iain Balshaw
05. George Skivington	12. Andrea Masi
06. Kelly Brown	13. Max Evans
07. Dave Wallace	14. Adam Thompstone
08. Carl Fearns	15. George Pisi

16. Neil Clark 17. Brett Sturgess 18. Mark Lambert 19. James Hudson 20. Shane Jennings 21. Nicholas Phipps 22. Ronan O'Gara 23. Matt Smith
Tactics
Insert text here

---

Northampton Saints

---

Manager – Chris

01. Thomas Domigo	09. Joe Simpson
02. Dylan Hartley	10. Matt Giteau
03. Matt Stevens
04. Bradley Davies	11. Leigh Halfpenny
05. Patrico Albacete	12. Willie Mason
06. Rocky Elsom	13. Casey Lualala
07. Luke Watson	14. Manu Tuilagi
08. Ryan Kankowski	15. Ben Foden

16. Rob Webber 17. Andrew Sheridan 18. Carl Hayman 19. Joe Launchbery 20. Dave Attwood 21. Mike Phillips 22. Danny Cipriani 23. Chris Ashton
Tactics
to play attacking rugby with a strong, mobile pack that looks to keep hold of the ball and work through the phases. The backline will be led by Matt Giteau and use the centres to punch holes in the Exeter backline and set up space for the back three to exploit and score tries

---

---

Gloucester vs. Saracens

---

Gloucester

---

Manager – Matt

01. Nick Wood	09. Dave Lewis
02. Adriaan Strauss	10. Stephen Donald
03. Rupert Harden
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Sharples
05. Tom Palmer	12. Juan De Jong
06. maure fa'sivalu	13. Richard Kahui
07. Schalk Burger	14. Zac Guildford
08. William Alberts	15. Isreal Dagg

16. Coonie oushuizen 17. Jamie George 18. Juilian White 19. Brett Deacon 20. Dannie Russouw 21. Will Genia 22. Ryan Lamb 23. James Simpson - Daniel
Tactics
Insert text here

---

Saracens

---

Manager – Pete

01. Matt Mullen	09. Paul Hodgson
02. Matt Cairns	10. Iain Humphries
03. Tom Mercy
04. Graham Kitchener	11. Tim Visser
05. Steve Borthwick	12. Owen Farrell
06. Joe Van Nikirk	13. Nevin Spence
07. George Smith	14. Tom Homer
08. Luke Narraway	15. Alex Goode

16. Tom Cowen-Dickie 17. Alex Waller 18. Phil Swainstone 19. Rynhard Elsadt 20. James Scaysbrooke 21. James Lightfoot-brown 22. Henry Trinder 23. James Short
Tactics
Saracens name a matchday 23 containing only player s who will available during the World Cup period and will play our normal offloading game whilst using the tactical kicking of Farrell at 12 to ensure that we play in the right areas.

- Could I please get some feedback on this team and how it is likely to fare during the World Cup, in particular the following areas...

1. Hooker and front row generally
2. Balance of youth and experience
3. Centre combination (have looked at 36/Trinder and 36/Spence, now looking at this combo trying to work out what my best pairing will be.)

---

---

NEC Harlequins vs. Sale Sharks

---

NEC Harlequins

---

Manager – Steve

01. Joe Marler	09. Lee Dickson
02. Matt Rees	10. Quade Cooper
03. Brian Mujati
04. Jerome Thion	11. Johnathan Joseph
05. James Gaskell	12. Felipie Contipomi
06. Lewis Moody(c)	13. Anthoney Fa'ainga
07. Francois Louw	14. Peter Hynes
08. Richie Vernon	15. Luke Morahan

16. Rob Vickers 17. Matias Aguero 18. Will Collier 19. Charlie Matthews 20. Jamie Gibson 21. Henry Prygros 22. Freddie Burns 23. Yoann Huget
Tactics
Insert text here

---

Sale Sharks

---

Manager – SJE

01. Lionel Faure	09. Nicholas Bezy
02. David Paice	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Carlos Nieto
04. Romain Millo-Chulski	11. Nick Abendanoon
05. Christian Day	12. Jordan Turner-Hall
06. Neil Best	13. James Hook
07. Matt Todd	14. Tom Brady
08. Victor Vito	15. Luke Rooney

16. Lee Imolek 17.Brett Sharman 18. Neemia Tialata 19. Alun Wyn Jones 20. Wycliffe Palu 21. Shaun Perry 22. Andy Goode 23. Kieth Earls
Tactics
Insert text here

---

---

London Irish vs. Leicester Tigers

---

London Irish

---

Manager – Nick

01. Jean Baptiste Poux	09. Juilian Dupuy
02. James Buckland	10. Dan Bowden
03. WP Nel
04. Mauritz Botha	11. Paul Sackey
05. Nick Kennedy	12. Sireli Naqalevuki
06. George Stowers	13. Mathieu Bastereaud
07. Hendrie Fourie	14. Joe Maddock
08. Xavier Rush	15. Matt Tait

16. Tonga Lea'toea 17. Neil Briggs 18. Duncan Bell 19. Matt Garvey 20. Steffon Armitage 21. Neil De Kock 22. Juan Hernandez 23. Delon Armitage
Tactics
Insert text here

---

Leicester Tigers

---

Manager – Luke

01. Wyatt Crockett	09. Ben Youngs
02. Sabastian Bruno	10. Toby Flood
03. Dan Cole
04. Jarred Hoeata	11. Rupeni Caucaunibuca
05. Nathan Hines	12. Yannick Jauzion
06. Jordan Crane	13. Florian Fritz
07. John Barcley	14. Tom Biggs
08. Ernst Joubert	15. Isa Nacewa

16. Dan Murphey 17. Stephen Moore 18. Ben Franks 19. Alex Brown 20. Nick Easter 21. Micky Young 22. Rob Miller 23. Brian O'Driscoll
Tactics
Insert text here

---

---

Newcastle Falcons vs. London Wasps

---

Newcastle Falcons

---

Manager – Pooly

01. Boris Stanovich	09. Sarel Pretorious
02. Andrew Hore	10. Nick Evans
03. Paul Doran-Jones
04. Flip Van Der Merwe	11. Miles Benjiman
05. Geoff Parling	12. Luke McAlistair
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Jared Payne
07. Marty Holah	14. Sean Maitland
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Ben Smith

16. Tom Lindsey 17. Fabian Baracella 18. Ben Alexander 19. Ed Slater 20. Ben Woods 21. Jonny Arr 22. Colin Slade 23. Topsy Ojo
Tactics
Normal Falcons high intensity tactics......compete in pack and target lineout with numerous jumpers. Control breakdown and look to attack with turnover ball.

Pretorious to attack the fringes and Evans to call the shots in the backline. McAlister to offer up second playmaking option with Ben Smith coming into the line. Payne/Maitland to run off Mc/Evans and Benjamin to offer himself aroud the park.

---

London Wasps

---

Manager – Arry

01. Perry Freshwater	09. Martin Roberts
02. Steve Thompson	10. Jimmy Goppereth
03. James Slipper
04. Steven Sykes	11. Noah Cato
05. Mark Chisholm	12. James Downey
06. Tom Johnson	13. Jon Clarke
07. James Haskell	14. Lachie Turner
08. Roger Wilson	15. Mike Brown

16. Tatafu Polota-Nau 17. Benn Robinson 18. CJ Van Der Linde 19. Dan Ward-Smith 20. Jaques Burger 21. Luke Burgess 22. Rory Clegg 23. Olly Morgan
Tactics
Insert text here

---

---

I have just played Sale at home Driver

Got Sarries and Sale wrong mate.

Guy's i'm doing these fixtures off the cuff at the moment so if you'd like to play anyone in particular let me know.

Quins v Sale

1. Joe Marler
2. Matthew Rees
3. Brian Mujati
4. Jerome Thion
5. James Gaskell
6. Lewis Moody (c)
7. Francois Louw
8. Richie Vernon
9. Lee Dickson
10. Quade Cooper
11. Jonathan Joseph
12. Felipe Contepomi (k)
13. Anthony Faainga
14. Peter Hynes
15. Luke Morahan

16. Rob Vickers
17. Matias Aguero
18. Will Collier
19. Charlie Matthews
20. Jamie Gibson
21. Henry Pyrgos
22. Freddie Burns
23. Yoann Huget

Doesn't bother me who I play really, although it would be nice to play everyone once

1.Cian Healy
2.Gary Botha
3.Euan Murrey
4.Juilian Pierre
5.George Skivington
6.Kelly Brown
7.David Wallace
8.Carl Fearns
9.Tomas O’Leary
10.Steven Myler
11.Iain Balshaw
12.Andrea Masi
13.Max Evans
14.Adam Thompstone
15.George Pisi.

16.Neil Clark
17.Brett Sturgess
18.Mark Lambert
19.James Hudson
20.Shane Jennings
21.Nicholas Phipps
22.Ronan O’Gara
23.Matt Smith

Leicester Tigers team to play Irish:

1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Sebastian Bruno
3. Dan Cole
4. Jarrad Hoeata
5. Nathan Hines (c)
6. Jordan Crane
7. John Barclay
8. Ernst Joubert

9. Ben Youngs
10. Toby Flood (k)
11. Rupeni Caucaunibuca
12. Yannick Jauzion
13. Florian Fritz
14. Tom Biggs
15. Isa Nacewa

16. Dan Murphy
17. Stephen Moore
18. Ben Franks
19. Alex Brown
20. Nick Easter
21. Micky Young
22. Rob Miller
23. Brian O'Driscoll

Wasps team to face Newcastle

1. Perry Freshwater (c)
2. Steve Thompson
3. James Slipper
4. Steven Sykes
5. Mark Chisholm
6. Tom Johnson
7. James Haskell
8. Roger Wilson

9. Martin Roberts
10. Jimmy Gopperth
11. Noah Cato
12. James Downey
13. Jon Clarke
14. Lachie Turner
15. Mike Brown

16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. Benn Robinson
18. CJ Van Der Linde
19. Dan Ward-Smith
20. Jacques Burger
21. Luke Burgess
22. Rory Clegg
23. Olly Morgan

Strong team Arry....

Thought I'd put out one of my better line ups just for you mate

Cheers mate lol

Saints Team:

1. Thomas Domingo
2. Dylan Hartley
3. Matt Stevens
4. Bradley Davies
5. Patricio Albacete
6. Rocky Elsom
7. Luke Watson
8. Ryan Kankowski
9, Joe Simpson
10. Matt Giteau
11. Leigh Halfpenny
12. Willie Mason
13. Casey Lualala
14. Manu Tuilagi
15. Ben Foden

Subs 16. Rob Webber 17. Andrew Sheridan 18. Carl Hayman 19. Joe Launchbury 20. Dave Attwood 21. Mike Phillips 22. Danny Cipriani 23. Chris Ashton

Tactcis - to play attacking rugby with a strong, mobile pack that looks to keep hold of the ball and work through the phases. The backline will be led by Matt Giteau and use the centres to punch holes in the Exeter backline and set up space for the back three to exploit and score tries

1 Wood(e)
2 Strauss
3 Harden(e)
4 Bakkies
5 Palmer(e)
6 Fasivalu
7 Burger
8 Alberts
9 Lewis(e)
10 Donald
11 Sharples(e)
12 Dejongh
13 Kahui
14 Guildford
15 Dagg
16 Coonie oushuizen
17 George(e)
18 White(e)
19 Deacon(e)
20 Roussouw
21 Genia
22 Lamb (e)
23 JSD (e)

Saracens team to face Gloucester

15. Alex Goode
14. Tom Homer
13. Nevin Spence
12. Owen Farrell
11. Tim Visser
10. Iain Humphreys
9. Paul Hodgson

1. Matt Mullan
2. Matt Cairns
3. Tom Mercey
4. Graham Kitchener
5. Steve Borthwick
6. Joe van Niekerk
7. George Smith
8. Luke Narraway

16. Tom Cowan-Dickie 17. Alex Waller 18. Phil Swainston 19. Rynhard Elstadt 20. James Scaysbrook 21. James Lightfoot-Brown 22. Henry Trinder 23. James Short

Saracens name a matchday 23 containing only player s who will available during the World Cup period and will play our normal offloading game whilst using the tactical kicking of Farrell at 12 to ensure that we play in the right areas.

- Could I please get some feedback on this team and how it is likely to fare during the World Cup, in particular the following areas...

1. Hooker and front row generally
2. Balance of youth and experience
3. Centre combination (have looked at 36/Trinder and 36/Spence, now looking at this combo trying to work out what my best pairing will be.)

Thanks

Pete.

Personally i think your front 5 would get butchered and is too lightweight. The front row have barely played much rugby and the props struggling for form. Is Matt Cairns still playing??

Second rows lack physicality and the whole front 5 offer next to nothing carrying wise.

Lineout would be very good.

Backrow is excellent and would rival most people's first choice backrow. Carriers, Pace and Turnovers great balance.

Centres difficult to judge. farrell generally a ten at saracens and playing 12 for u20s does not get him credit. I think he is a really useful player though.

Spence is all potential and with what i perceive as a weak ten i think your 10,12,13 channel would be exposed.

Homer unproven and coming back from injury. Goode a really good full back and Visser scores magners tries for fun but again hard to rate. Would much rather see 36 involved somewhere. Also most of Trinders appearances fro Glos have been on the the wing so he would give a great option instead of Homer??

Personally would have 10 Farrel 12 36 13 Trinder

Will go into more detail in Predo's Pete but I would never start Kitchener ahead of Elstadt in your best WC team

back line is a bit inexperienced but has talent and I'm not a fan of Homer on the wing. great back row and a reasonable front five.

Could I get some feedback on my back line please lads.

1 Salvatore Perugini
2 Lee Mears
3 Davit Kubrashvilli
4 Louis Deacon
5 Sam Whitelock
6 Sean O’Brien
7 Beau Robinson
8 JMF Lobbe
9 Richard Wigglesworth
10 Charlie Hodgson
11 Ugo Monye
12 Anthony Allen
13 Dominic Waldouck
14 Gehard Van Der Heever
15 Francois Steyn
Newport*, Tanner*, Currie, Swinson ,Skuse*, FDP, Williams, Beale

Good points from Matt there Pete and echo most of those, although very critical that side is only as strong/weak as the team you're playing.

Not a great FR, Mullen aside, but again it all depends on what you're against and I weakish FR isn't going to totally cost you a game during the summer I don't think.

Newcastle team:

1. Boris Stankovich
2. Andrew Hore
3. Paul Doran-Jones
4. Flip van der Merwe
5. Geoff Parling
6. Chris Robshaw(c)
7. Marty Holah
8. Duane Vermeulen

9. Sarel Pretorious
10. Nick Evans
11. Miles Benjamin
12. Luke McAlister
13. Jared Payne
14. Sean Maitland
15. Ben Smith

16. Tom Lindsay
17. Fabien Barcella
18. Ben Alexander
19. Ed Slater
20. Ben Woods
21. Jonny Arr
22. Colin Slade
23. Topsy Ojo


Tactics:

Normal Falcons high intensity tactics......compete in pack and target lineout with numerous jumpers. Control breakdown and look to attack with turnover ball.

Pretorious to attack the fringes and Evans to call the shots in the backline. McAlister to offer up second playmaking option with Ben Smith coming into the line. Payne/Maitland to run off Mc/Evans and Benjamin to offer himself aroud the park.

Irish team to face Leicester

1 Jean Baptiste Poux
2 James Buckland
3 WP Nel
4 Mouritz Botha
5 Nick Kennedy
6 George Stowers
7 Hendrie Fourie
8 Xavier Rush
9 Julien Dupuy
10 Daniel Bowden
11 Paul Sackey
12 Sireli Naqalevuki
13 Mathieu Bastereaud
14 Joe Maddock
15 Matthew Tait

16 Tonga Lea'toea
17 Neil Briggs
18 Duncan Bell
19 Matt Garvey
20 Steffon Armitage
21 Neal De Kock
22 Juan Martin Hernandez
23 Delon Armitage

1. David Flatman*
2. Richardt Strauss
3. BJ Botha
4. Ollie Kohn*
5. Marco Wentzel (c)
6. Scott Higginbotham
7. Craig Newby
8. Ben Morgan*

9. Dwayne Peel
10. Nicky Robinson (k)
11. Matt Banahan*
12. Lee Thomas
13. Seru Rabeni
14. Lelia Masaga
15. Greig Tonks*

16. Koree Britton*
17. George Porter*
18. Yann Thomas*
19. Dominic Barrow*
20. Sebastian Chabal
21. Jimmy Cowan
22. Morne Steyn
23. Sam Vesty*

Sale Side:

1. Lionel Faure
2. David Paice
3. Carlos Nieto
4. Romain millo Chluski
5. Christian Day
6. Neil Best
7. Matt Todd
8. Victor Vito

9. Nicholas Bezy
10. Aaron Cruden
11. Nick Abedanoon
12. Jordan Turner Hall
13. James Hook
14. Tom Brady
15. Luke Rooney

16. Lee Imolek 17. Brett Sharman 18. Neemia Tialata 19. Alun Wyn Jones 20. Wycliffe Palu 21. Shaun Perry 22. Andy Goode 23. Keith Earls

Guys could I get some feedback please on the backrow as a possible world cup selection and the centre combo for when the season is in full flight. Cheers

Tactics:
Use the setpiece as a base with a strong scrummaging front 5. Cruden and Bezy to use the big carriers to get us moving forward before injecting pace and some magic. Cruden to kick all penalties at goal with that accurate boot of his!

You getting the match thread done so we can get some predos in there Driver?

Just updating it now mate. Com's been a pain last few days and been busy playing a lot of rugby and had a few job interviews last week so havn't had the time i usually would

I know how it goes mate, takes some work getting everything done in this game. I'll try ot lend a hand when I can mate.

How'd the job interviews go?

Went well mate , they said they'd get back to letting me know if i got through to the 2nd set. So i'm waiting on a phone call.

Are you still using google chrome mate? I'm having some real issues with mine at the moment

Yeah, am on Chrome at home and IE at work.

Prefer Chrome to be honest, never had any issues with it.

Firefox...

Tough to call some of these games as some are using to alot more WC players than others so have much better lineups. Not quite sure what fielding 10 players that won't be available against 15 that will be proves but each to their own and I'll predo on what I see.

Bath 25-23 Worcester

Good pack battle just shading to Bath. Not much in the backs but enough to sneak a win.

Exeter 19-20 Northampton

Front 5 edges to Saints but prefer Exeter backrow. Prefer Exeter midfield but Saints back 3, close game that Saints just edge.

Gloucester 32-16 Saracens

Gloucester pack a fair bit stronger, esp back 5. Halfbacks slight edge to Sarries but other back to Gloucester by a good distance. Much stronger Gloucester team.

Pete....hard call as Matt's team is filled with players that will prob go to WC. Front row not the strongest, Cairns and Mercy. But depends on who you come up against. Wood/Mercy would be a tight battle, edge to Wood. Mullen would give Harden probs but Strauss is a good allrounder and would gives Cairns issues.

Centre combo - Struggle to rate Farrell at 12 but I like Spence, Gloucesters combo are strong so hard to judge. Slightly too much youngsters in 11-15.

Quins 27-25 Sale

Tough to seperate pack. Halfbacks go to Quins but prefer Sale centre combo. Back 3 just to Quins and see them stealing this one.

Irish 20-25 Leicester

Slight edge front 5 for Leicester and close backrows...really don't like Crane at 6. Better halfbacks from Leciester and backline.

Bath 24 Worcester Warriors 15

Front 5 bath are miles ahead as players. Whitelock will be the best lock in world in next few years

Back Row is pretty even with Higgenbottom being the stand out on the flanks. Robinson just shades Newby. But Lobbe out does Morgan.

Half backs Bath are more controlling pair with Hodgson a bit better than Robinson and Peel’s service better than wrigglesworth.

Centres big Allen fan think he’s underrated , Waldouck hasn’t kicked on as much as people thought he would of. Thomas is playing French 2nd division rugby as was Rabeni.

Back 3 great counter attacking options from both sides but in terms of class Bath once again above.

Both mixed benchs with WW shading it for quality but can see beale doing damage vs. tired legs.


Gloucester 27 Saracens 19

Mullen and Mercy are better props from my view than Wood and Harden. Strauss is better than Cairns at the minute. Matt’s front row replacement are a lot better than petes.

Locks are one sided to glaws with Kitchener filled with potential and Borthwick solid in the air. Palmer and Botha are both locks who are top of the game In there positions.

Back rows id say matts is a lot better Burger is fantastic at 7 and has come on leaps and bounds over the last 2 years. Alberts best 8 in super rugby atm.

Backs Glaws better throughout. Do like Spence at 13 though, Guildford best wing in world when on form. Great footballer.

Quins 28 Sale 21

Front 5 quins ahead by a longshot for me Marler , Matt , Mujati will cause all sorts of problems for sale. Gaskell at 2 in the lineout is a great option.

Back row Quins more physical with Sale better in the loose and would link up well around park.

Half backs Cooper is best outside half in the world at the moment and Dickson is similer to Genia at 9. Bezy and Cruden both filled to rim with potential and will be good players.

Outside backs Contipomi suits Cooper down to a tee and Faaininga is in great form. JTH I’v never been convinced by Hook anywhere I’m a fan of. Great back 3s in terms if balance by both teams

Irish 15 Leicester 19

Falcons 22 Wasps 14

Sorry guys laptops dying and sister has charger

Bath 23 16 Worcester
Bath with a bit more quality through the sides here. Bath a step up in the pack with alot of lads gone for the world cup playing. England v Wales in the half backs. Both combos will get their back lines moving. Worcester with the wingers to do some damage out wide but Bath with a bit more in the midfield. Bath pack to get on top and win this one.

Exeter 16 17 Northampton
Decent battle in the front 5 but Saints with the advantage. Backrow to Saints as well with Watson in decent form as the season ended. Expect his rating to drop though as the season starts. In the halfbacks its fairly even while in the back line still cant rate Mason yet for Saints so midfield to Chiefs but a strong back 3 for Chris. Good even game here with Saints just shading it for a narrow win

Glaws 26 20 Sarries
Front row to Glaws here. Mercey and Cairns not in the best of form. 2nd row to Glaws with their 1st choice combo. Backrow to Sarries though. Pete’s world cup selection here could compete with most 1st choice combos. Halfbacks to Sarries. Humphries had a good year at Ulster while Donald hasn’t had the best 1. Glaws a step up in the backs with alot of internationals there.
If I was you Pete I’d be going 12. 36 13. Spence think that’s your strongest combo for the world cup mate.

Irish 19 26 Tigers
Very powerful front 5 for Tigers. That 2nd row would really help the scrum out which was pretty impressive to begin with! Strong unit from Irish but Luke has that bit more. Back rows strong from both sides with better balance for Irish but more form to Tigers. The Tigers halfbacks weren’t in the greatest form ending the season but a great proven combo. Decent form for Irish though Bowden to play 10 for Irish IRL next year? In the backs Tigers have possibly the strongest line up for the world cup. Tigers with some more power up front to pick up the win here.

Falcons 24 17 Wasps
Falcons with the stronger front row in this one with a good scrummaging unit but Wasps with the stronger engine room. Falcons with a better balance in the backrow and stronger at 6 and 8. They will get some success at the breakdown as well. At halfback Falcons with one of the best combos for the world cup. In the backs solid midfield from Wasps but Newcastle have some great form there. Great back 3 from Falcons that could do some serious damage. Newcastle with that bit more quality throughout the side to pick up the win here.

Driver how do you see mullan and mercey as better than wood and harden??? Wood consistently one of best props in league and a saxon. Harden up and coming but at least does play games. Interested in feedback as they will be my wc props so trying to get right.

Bath 36- 20 worcester

Bath with a bit more quality through the side and pack wins ball all day.

Exeter 16 17 Northampton

Best game of day. Mason stops saints winning convincingly. I would bet my house that Mason will not make it

Irish 19 26 Tigers
Think Bowden at 10 will cost nick the game. Don't think his management up to it also front 5 difference is stark

Falcons 22-20 wasps

Wasps take pack. Particularly front 5. Think stanks and parling weak links. FOr me Robshaw and johnson even and vermaulen slightly better than Wilson Haskell much better than holah.

Falcons halfbacks much better and a great paring. Doubt pretorius could step up to international but great club player and Evans despite a bad season last year is class.

Falcons back 3 win the game

It's pretty objective that Matt, Strauss gives you an edge in the front row. Wood is a good prop and an ex Saxon whilst Mullen is current Saxon and a better player for me. I'd say Mercy is a stronger TH than Harden also.

Not much of a debate as Wood comes up against
Mercy and Harden against Mullen.

Harden is a weakness looking at the quality of other front rows on show and I'd want my TH to anchor the scrum. All depends on the opposition though I guess.

Guys havent got time to go into depth this week.

Bath 28 Worcester Warriors 19
Power of the pack to Bath here, front foot and a rampaging backrow too much.

Gloucester 39 Saracens 20

Summer tournament and know that isnt Pete's best team out, but inexperience would see them take a hammering I'm afraid.

Quins 24 Sale 23

Tough one to call - think Quins are better overall and 10,12, 13 combo is fantastic, but Sale's backrow will disrupt big time - see Quins with more match winners though. Close game.

Irish 19 Leicester 19
Think Irish need to get one absolute world class backrow player to make a difference, as Leicester could win this area, but for me they just dont have the wings to finish off any advantage.

Falcons 27 Wasps 25
Interesting one this - think Wasps will disrupt and push Falcons all the way, but not as much quality in the backline. I dont think Evans and McAlister would work well, too similar and Downey and Clarke will stop anything coming through the midfield. Evans will win it for them tho,

Exeter 18 Saints 20

Gloucester 30 Saracens 26

Quins 24 Sale 22

Irish 20 Leicester 18

Falcons 20 Wasps 16

Bath 26 - 19 Worcester
Bath dominate the pack and therefore the game.


Exeter 21 - 24 Saints
Strong perfromance by Exeter but Saints too much quality.


Gloucester 23 - 18 Saracens
Tight game, but 11-15 wins it for Gloucester.


Harlequins 25 - 23 Sale
Really tough to call. Quins just.


Newcastle 23 - 19 Wasps
That bit more quality from Newcastle sees them through.